Brokers of Plenty
Photo: August Joensalo
Brokers of Plenty is an oddball masquerade of sacred tricksters. The choreography blends elements of carnivalistic parades and guising that draws from the Finnish pre-Christian harvest celebration “Kekri” and other similar traditions. The performance searches for the joy of embodying death, birth and the unpredictability of nature. Something that is on the outskirts of the “civilized” society, but haunts our everyday lives.
Through the idea of a carnivalesque ”upside down world”, Brokers of Plenty evokes atmospheres that recall painter Francis Bacon’s grotesque popes and the fantastical imagery of Hieronymus Bosch, suspended between paradise and hell. Central to the performance is the concept of carnival culture, which in different locations and contexts has been and still is, a way for a community to liberate itself from the prevailing truth and established order. Through carnivalism, the piece explores intermediate states and corporealities between human, monstruous and the exalted. Brokers of Plenty introduces devilish, animal-like and mystical beings inspired by the Finnish pre-Christian ”Kekri” and other similar traditions.
Costume designer and visual artist Siru Kosonen realizes a contemporary and queered take on carnivalistic characters — creating striking figures that are part human, part animal, and a mix of the natural and the artificial.
The piece brings together the movement language of choreographer Mikko Niemistö and the sonic visions Indian-American musician, sound artist and multi-instrumentalist Nordra (Monika Khot). Her works create an intriguing wholeness through her masterful ability to deconstruct musical structure in a language of industrial music and noise. In Brokers of Plenty Nordra will create an almost orchestral dimension blending elements of noise, dub and folk. In the final performance Nordra will perform live alongside the dancers.
The first version of Brokers of Plenty will happen at Drifts -festival 20th of August 2026, Helsinki. The performance will have its full premiere in 2027-2028.
Choreography: Mikko Niemistö
Performers: Anniina Dyster, Geoffrey Erista, Tuure Kaukua, Maya Oliva, Sointu Saraste and Tuuli Vahtola
Music and sound design: Nordra
Costume design: Siru Kosonen
Lighting and spatial design: Sofia Palillo
Producer: Soili Huhtakallio
Residencies: Libidian Atelier
Supported by: The Kone Foundation
Photo: August Joensalo